MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia --
A solar hybrid generator that reduces the heavy burden of logistics resupply in the field shone bright Nov. 17 for a delegation of U.S. and India officials at Quantico. The Mobile Electric Hybrid Power Sources, or MEHPS, is among several joint defense pathfinder projects that officials hope will strengthen bilateral ties for years to come.
MEHPS was one of four “pathfinder” projects and two cooperative initiatives announced by Prime Minister Modi and President Obama in January 2015 under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative or DTTI.
“Both governments are committed to an enduring partnership,” said Keith Webster, director of International Cooperation at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “Developing defense science and technology cooperation is one of the key steps toward growing that partnership.”
MEHPS is a Marine Corps developmental effort that will combine existing military standard generators, increase energy efficiency and reduce dependency on refueling support. The non-grid-tied smart power system with output ranging from 300W to 800KW will augment the use of traditional generators on the battlefield. Hybrid power systems use less fuel, which means a more agile and expeditionary Marine Air-Ground Task Force and reduced logistics support at remote outposts.
“The Marine Corps is pleased to embark on this cooperative venture with the Indian Ministry of Defence to jointly assess each other’s technology,” said Jim Smerchansky, executive director of Marine Corps Systems Command. “Making tactical, mobile power sources more efficient and less reliant upon fossil fuel supply will greatly benefit our warfighters. They need remote power that is reliable, tailored to their immediate requirements and long-lasting.”
Besides visiting Quantico, the Indian delegation traveled to Patuxent River Naval Station, Maryland, where they toured facilities associated with the Jet Engine and Aircraft Carrier Pathfinder initiatives. They also participated in a round of bilateral meetings at the Pentagon.